Logistiktrender 2025 - an opportunity to look beyond the horizons

Anna Engblom, Senior Advisor at Greater Copenhagen, then discussed the impact of the new Fehmarn Belt link on logistics.

Truck traffic will increase by up to 120 per cent with the Fehmarn Belt - we will need to think and plan- Anna Engblom

Niklas Granholm, Research Director at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) and member of the International Security Policy Unit, clarified the picture of the geostrategic trends that are affecting the world so strongly now. A global and European security order that we can no longer rely on and, at the same time, a heavily maritime-dependent logistics sector whose conditions have changed dramatically and climate change that will greatly affect societies and transport. Three transoceanic shipping lanes will eventually emerge, and as the ice melts, we will be able to transport goods through the Arctic, but it will still be associated with risks. Finally, Mr Granholm also focused on the risks we face closer to home - in the Baltic Sea.

If you look into the crystal ball, you can see a lot of continued development at the geostrategic level - globally, regionally and locally.-Niklas Granholm

The guests also heard Anna Wolf, Vice President and expert in electrical systems at Power Circle, discuss the electrified vehicles and transport of the future and the need for further flexibility, digitalisation and AI in the electricity system.

Most agree that AI will play a major role in shaping the future. Alfred Ruth, author, entrepreneur and investor, described how humanoid robots could become part of industrial operations and the future logistics network.

Finally, Catena's invited guests heard Dr Patrick Dixon's thoughts on the longer-term future. Mr Dixon is a futurist, keynote speaker and author and he spoke about what changes we can expect but also what will not change. The message was that we have a pretty good idea of what will happen, the uncertainty is more about when it will happen. However, he believes that we can be sure that AI development will be faster than most people expect.

AI by 2060 will be 1 billion times smarter than today.- Dr. Patrick Dixon

Under the leadership of moderator Katarina Wallin, the day ended with a panel where some of the speakers discussed the future on a more philosophical level. 

The panel agreed that humanity faces major challenges but also that co-operation is a way forward. However, it was a little more difficult for them to agree on whether or not it is right to bet on humans being able to make space journeys to Mars.

Catena organises the annual event Logistiktrender to encourage knowledge sharing and continued collaboration with customers and partners.